CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A bill aimed at eliminating nearly all diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts in West Virginia is moving closer to becoming law, following a vote Tuesday by the House Judiciary Committee.
Senate Bill 474, which previously cleared the state Senate and the House Education Committee, seeks to bar state and local governments, including public schools and universities, from implementing or maintaining DEI programs. The proposal aligns with Republican Gov. Patrick Morrisey’s agenda, reinforcing an earlier executive order targeting DEI-related activities.
If enacted, the legislation would prevent agencies from offering services or benefits tailored to individuals based on race, ethnicity, country of origin, or — in most cases — sex. DEI offices currently operating in colleges or government bodies would be dismantled under the proposed law.
Despite the bill’s broad scope, it does carve out exceptions for colleges applying for external grants. Institutions would still be allowed to describe efforts supporting first-generation students, low-income students, and other underserved populations in their grant applications — although these terms are not clearly defined in the legislation.
A proposed amendment to include “sex” in all relevant sections of the bill was rejected during Tuesday’s committee meeting. Without this addition, the current version of the bill still permits the offering of certain benefits based on sex in limited cases.
The legislation has sparked strong reactions on both sides of the aisle. Delegate Bill Flanigan, R-Ohio, joined Democratic lawmakers in opposing the bill during Tuesday’s committee discussion. Flanigan criticized the measure as dangerous and out of touch with the reality of bias and inequality.
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He expressed concerns over the requirement for educators to discuss topics like racism and sexism in a strictly “neutral” or “colorblind” way, arguing that such an approach ignores systemic injustices and the lived experiences of many.
“To pretend that color doesn’t exist is misguided,” Flanigan said. “We need to recognize people’s differences — not erase them. Eliminating DEI doesn’t move us forward as a society, it stalls progress.”
Flanigan also condemned what he sees as a reactionary narrative driving the bill. “This idea that one group is ‘losing’ because others are finally being given space and support — it’s not a valid reason to shut down inclusion efforts,” he added.
Despite opposition, no supporters of the bill in the committee publicly spoke in favor of it before it passed on a voice vote.
Should SB 474 become law, state agencies would be barred from running DEI offices or directing staff to engage in such work. It would also outlaw employment preferences or requirements based on DEI metrics, and eliminate mandatory DEI training for public employees.
In educational settings, the bill would further restrict how teachers can address race- and gender-related topics. Educators would be prohibited from presenting any material that implies one race, ethnicity, or sex is inherently superior to another. Additionally, the bill forbids compelling teachers or school staff to use a student’s preferred pronouns if they do not align with the student’s biological sex.
The bill now heads to the full House for final debate and a possible vote before the legislative session ends on Saturday.